The Bulgarian Post
2006-12-18 09:37:01

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said  he would press on with early elections as a truce between his security forces and the Hamas government came under strain in the Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian security source said Interior Ministry police had briefly exchanged fire with Abbas's presidential guard near the Foreign Ministry in Gaza. No one was hurt, Reuters news agency reports.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking after meeting Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, said the international community should try to put together in the coming weeks a package of assistance to help the moderate leader.

Internal fighting, already at its worst level in years, escalated after Abbas called on Saturday for fresh elections, a move intended to break political deadlock with the Hamas Islamists and get Western sanctions on their government lifted.

A truce deal was struck late on Sunday but sporadic violence soon broke out again in impoverished Gaza.

"As I told you in my speech, I am determined to go back to the people," Abbas said in a joint news conference with Blair.

"We have been in a crisis for nine months. People cannot wait for long. People are suffering from the economic social and security situation."  

Abbas insisted his Fatah movement was still open to the formation of a unity government of technocrats, saying in prepared remarks that this was the "best way forward".

The West has sought to bolster Abbas, who favors a two-state solution to end conflict with Israel.

The Hamas Islamists seek the Jewish state's destruction and have struggled to govern since taking office in March under the weight of Western sanctions that were imposed because of their refusal to recognize Israel and renounce violence.

Blair said the package of assistance, to go through Abbas's office, would include reconstruction and development aid. He did not give details.

"If the international community really means what it says about supporting people who share the vision of a two-state solution, who are moderate, who are prepared to shoulder their responsibilities, then now is the time for the international community to respond," Blair said.

"I believe this is so critical and urgent over the coming weeks."

Blair, on a drive to revive Middle East peace negotiations, will hold talks later with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

 Print This Article      Email This Article

 The Bulgarian Post: Contact Us | About Us | Advertise With Us | RSS